Andy Montoya
Broccoli and cheese is a quick, easy, and delicious side dish that can be made in a variety of ways. It is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables, as the cheese adds a cozy, creamy, and crispy texture to the broccoli. Whether you steam, roast, microwave, boil, or char your broccoli, the end result is a tasty and nutritious meal that can be served with a range of entrees. With a simple cheese sauce made from milk, cornstarch, and shredded cheese, or a more complex bake with eggs and butter, broccoli and cheese is a versatile dish that can be tailored to your taste preferences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cook time | 10 minutes |
| Ingredients | Broccoli, cheese, water, olive oil, salt, pepper, milk, corn starch, butter, flour |
| Variations | Carrots, cauliflower, mushrooms |
| Nutrition | 182 calories, 11g carbohydrates, 12g protein, 11g fat, 7g saturated fat, 33mg cholesterol, 255mg sodium, 404mg potassium, 2g fiber, 5g sugar, 966IU vitamin A, 81mg vitamin C, 335mg calcium, 1mg iron |
| Storage | Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Can be frozen when completely cooled |
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What You'll Learn
How to make a cheese sauce
Cheese sauce is a great way to elevate a simple dish, and it's super easy to make. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make a basic cheese sauce that can be used in a variety of recipes, including broccoli and cheese.
Ingredients:
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
- Cheese (Cheddar, Parmesan, or a mix)
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions:
Start by preparing your ingredients. Grate the cheese and set it aside. The type and amount of cheese you use can be adjusted to your taste, but a good rule of thumb is to use around 1 cup of grated cheese for every 1 cup of milk.
In a separate saucepan, melt a knob of butter over low heat. Gradually add in flour and whisk until smooth. This mixture is called a roux and will act as a thickening agent for your sauce.
While whisking constantly, slowly add milk to the roux. Keep whisking until the mixture is smooth and thickened. You can adjust the consistency of your sauce by adding more or less milk.
Once you have a thickened sauce, it's time to add the cheese. Gradually add in the grated cheese, stirring constantly, until the cheese is melted and combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If your sauce becomes too thick, you can thin it out by adding a little more milk.
Your basic cheese sauce is now ready to be used! For a broccoli and cheese dish, simply pour the sauce over steamed or boiled broccoli. You can also experiment with adding other ingredients, such as mustard or chopped herbs, to your cheese sauce to create different flavours.
Tips:
- Be careful not to overcook the sauce, as it can become thick and soupy.
- Reheat any leftovers gently in the microwave or on the stovetop to avoid the cheese becoming rubbery.
- For a crispy cheese element, sprinkle shredded cheese into a hot skillet and allow it to brown and crisp up before adding to your dish.
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Cooking methods for broccoli
Broccoli is a versatile vegetable that can be cooked in many ways. Here are some methods to cook broccoli with cheese:
Steaming
Steaming broccoli is a quick and easy way to cook the vegetable. To steam broccoli, place it in a skillet or pot with a small amount of water and cook it over medium heat until tender. This usually takes around 3 to 5 minutes. You can also add cheese to the broccoli by making a cheese sauce. To make the sauce, whisk together milk and corn starch in a separate skillet, then place it on the heat and whisk until the milk is thickened. Once thickened, add cheese and stir until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Pour the cheese sauce over the steamed broccoli and serve.
Roasting
Roasting broccoli gives it a crispy texture and a deeper flavour. To roast broccoli, toss the florets in olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Spread the broccoli on a baking sheet and roast in a preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and lightly browned. Once roasted, sprinkle grated cheese over the broccoli and return it to the oven for a few minutes until the cheese melts.
Stir-frying
Stir-frying is a quick and easy way to cook broccoli. Heat a small amount of oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli florets and stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes until they are tender and lightly browned. Add grated or shredded cheese to the broccoli and continue cooking until the cheese melts. Stir gently to combine the broccoli and cheese, and serve immediately.
Baking
Baked broccoli and cheese is a creamy and cheesy dish that can be made as a side or main course. To make this dish, lightly grease a large baking dish. Cook the broccoli in boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes until al dente, then drain well and set aside. In a separate pot, melt butter over low heat and whisk in flour and salt until smooth. Slowly add milk, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens and comes to a slow boil. Remove from heat and gently fold in the cheese and broccoli until combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving.
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How to assemble and cook
First, prepare the broccoli. If you're steaming the broccoli, chop it into medium-sized florets, leaving a good amount of the stem for a nice shape. If you're baking the broccoli, you can chop it into smaller pieces. Broccoli can be steamed, roasted, microwaved, boiled, or charred on a grill.
Next, prepare the cheese sauce. In a separate saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Gradually stir in flour and salt until smooth. While stirring constantly, slowly add milk. Continue stirring until smooth. You can also add milk and cornstarch to the saucepan and whisk until the milk is thickened. Once thickened, add cheese and stir until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
If you're steaming the broccoli, place it in a skillet with 1 cup of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cover and steam for 3-5 minutes. If you're baking the broccoli, cook the broccoli in boiling water for 5-10 minutes, then drain well and gently dry with paper towels to absorb extra moisture.
Now it's time to assemble and cook! If you're steaming the broccoli, sprinkle grated cheese over the broccoli, followed by additional shredded cheese. Cover and cook for 1 minute to steam the broccoli and melt the cheese. If you're making a broccoli bake, fold the cheese and broccoli into the sauce, then pour the mixture into a greased baking dish and bake for 30-45 minutes. If you're making broccoli with crispy cheese, scatter shredded cheese over the broccoli in a skillet and cook for about 5 minutes without stirring. The cheese on top will melt, and the pieces that fall to the bottom will brown and get crispy.
Enjoy your cheesy broccoli!
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Reheating tips
Reheating broccoli and cheese involves a careful balancing act to preserve the tenderness of the cheese and the crispness of the broccoli. The key to success lies in choosing the right reheating method to warm up the dish without overcooking it. Conventional reheating techniques may often lead to soggy broccoli or rubbery cheese, but with the proper approach, it is possible to restore the meal's fresh-cooked appeal.
If you're reheating broccoli and cheese in the oven, set the temperature to around 225-250 degrees Fahrenheit to gradually warm the dish without overcooking it. Adding a small amount of water or broth to the tray and covering it with foil will help retain moisture and prevent the cheese from drying out.
For microwave reheating, use short bursts of heat and add a small amount of water to refresh the broccoli's warmth without turning it limp. Be careful not to overheat, as this can make the broccoli soggy and the cheese rubbery.
If you're reheating a larger dish that includes broccoli and cheese, such as a beef and broccoli stir-fry, it's essential to strike a balance between heating the other components thoroughly while keeping the broccoli crisp. Wrapping beef in foil before placing it on a baking tray can help retain moisture and tenderness. Add the broccoli during the last couple of minutes of reheating to refresh its crunch.
If you're reheating a broccoli and cheese soup, it's best to do it gently and in intervals. Fill your bowl with soup, heat it for a minute, then stir, repeating the process until it's hot enough. Adding a spoonful of starch mixed with water can help re-blend the soup if it separates during reheating.
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Recipe variations
Broccoli and cheese is a versatile dish that can be adapted in numerous ways. Here are some ideas for recipe variations:
- Cheese Sauce: Instead of sprinkling grated cheese over the broccoli, you can make a classic cheese sauce to pour over the broccoli. A simple cheese sauce can be made by whisking milk and corn starch in a skillet. Once the milk has thickened, add cheese and stir until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add other ingredients to your cheese sauce, such as butter, flour, and additional spices.
- Cooking Method: Broccoli can be cooked in a variety of ways, including steaming, roasting, grilling, boiling, or stir-frying. You can also experiment with different cookware, such as using a skillet or baking dish.
- Cheese Type: The type of cheese you use can significantly impact the flavour and texture of the dish. While recipes often call for cheddar or Parmesan cheese, you can experiment with other varieties like Swiss cheese or non-dairy cheese.
- Add-Ins: Broccoli and cheese can be a great base for adding other ingredients. Try steaming carrots or mushrooms with the broccoli, or adding cauliflower to the mix. If you're making a bake, you can include eggs to improve the texture and lift of the dish.
- Crispy Cheese: For a unique texture, try making broccoli with crispy cheese. Cook the broccoli florets in a skillet with oil, without stirring, until the bottoms are golden brown. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then add shredded cheese. The cheese will melt over the broccoli while also browning and crisping on the skillet.
- Sides and Entrées: Broccoli and cheese is a versatile side dish that pairs well with various entrées. Try serving it with breaded pork chops, baked chicken breast, or meatloaf. It can also be a great addition to soups, stews, or stir-fries.
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Frequently asked questions
To make broccoli and cheese in the oven, first lightly grease a large baking dish. Then, boil or steam the broccoli until tender. Next, make a cheese sauce by melting butter in a saucepan, stirring in flour and salt, then slowly adding milk until thickened. Finally, fold in the cheese and broccoli, and pour the mixture into the baking dish. Bake for 30-45 minutes.
The quickest way to cook broccoli and cheese is to steam or boil the broccoli, then cover it with cheese and melt it in the oven or microwave. This should take less than 10 minutes.
To make broccoli and cheese sauce from scratch, start by steaming or boiling the broccoli. Next, make the cheese sauce by melting butter in a saucepan, then slowly adding milk and stirring until smooth. Finally, add salt and cheese, stirring until melted.
Yes, you can make broccoli and cheese in a skillet. First, add oil to the skillet and scatter the broccoli florets. Cook for 5 minutes without stirring, then sprinkle with salt and pepper and scatter shredded cheese over the top. Cook for another 5 minutes, then use a metal spatula to gently remove any crispy bits that have stuck to the skillet.
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